Streams of Living Affected

20 Years of Discovery: The Women’s Interagency HIV Study

By Anthony Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health      

Twenty years ago, when most HIV/AIDS patients were men, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), observing women in the United States who are either HIV-infected or at risk for becoming infected.

 Since then, results from the WIHS have informed unique aspects of care and treatment for HIV-infected women worldwide as HIV/AIDS has spread globally and become equally prevalent among women and men. By observing more than 4,000 volunteers—many of them economically and socially disadvantaged—the WIHS has made vital contributions to our understanding of HIV/AIDS disease progression, key differences in HIV infection between men and women, and the implications of HIV infection for viral co-infections and other diseases.

 The WIHS has also yielded critical insights into how best to treat HIV-infected women. The study demonstrates the remarkably positive impact of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), introduced in 1996, on survival among women and also identifies factors that impede HIV-infected women from taking lifesaving antiretroviral medication daily as prescribed. Examining the relationship between HIV and its treatment to other diseases has been a major focus of the WIHS with substantial implications for women’s overall medical care.

The study indicates that ART is safe for women co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), an important finding given the prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection. The study also has found an association between administration of ART and significantly lower rates of infection with human papilloma virus, which can cause cervical cancer, and of precancerous cervical lesions.

 Further, the WIHS shows that HIV-infected women are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease than HIV-uninfected women, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. And WIHS investigators have established a link between diabetes in HIV-infected women and a class of antiretroviral drugs called nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

We continue to build on the study’s solid foundation of scientific insights by addressing new challenges and answering new questions. This year, we added four WIHS sites in the southeastern United States, where the epidemic has become particularly severe. As part of this expanded emphasis on women of the rural South, the WIHS will examine long-term health outcomes for women affected by other diseases—such as cardiovascular, liver, and kidney diseases—which are more prevalent among those infected with HIV.

 Meanwhile, the WIHS will continue to address questions pertinent to its core research agenda: How do genetic, metabolic, behavioral, and other factors influence HIV disease progression? What factors influence whether HIV-infected women get care and treatment and maintain long-term control of the virus? What are the health effects of co-infection with HIV and other viruses?

What are the relationships among HIV infection, treatment and other diseases? And what are the long-term outcomes of HIV infection and treatment? We applaud the WIHS volunteers and investigators for their important contributions over the past 20 years—and for their dedication to keep building on this knowledge until together we finally achieve our vision of an AIDS-free generation.

Letting the Information Flow

New Infographic Provides a State-by-State Look at How Uninsured People Will Fare Under the Affordable Care Act

A new interactive infographic from the Kaiser Family Foundation presents a comprehensive look at how the uninsured are expected to fare in each state next year after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) takes full effect on Jan. 1. The ACA provides new coverage options for many of the nation’s 47

million nonelderly uninsured people across the income spectrum, but there are big differences between states based on the makeup of their low income populations and whether or not a state expands the Medicaid program.

Arkansas has joined the federal government in a partnership which allowed an expansion of Medicaid via private insurance known as the "private option." The Living Affected Corporation serving as IPA Guide Entity 5000 continues to offer enrollment assistance, educational outreach and a direct LGBTQ access point to further learn about to navigate the system. Currently open enrollment concludes March 31, 2014

The online tool features an interactive map that allows users to click on each state to obtain key data that break down the potential gains in coverage for the uninsured, the gaps in coverage and those who will not receive any financial assistance. For each state the infographic shows:

• How many uninsured people will be eligible for Medicaid (including those newly eligible in states expanding Medicaid under the ACA and those – mostly children – eligible but unenrolled in states not expanding);
  
  
• How many uninsured will be eligible for tax credits to help them purchase coverage in the ACA Marketplaces;
  
  
• How many uninsured adults below the poverty level will be in the “coverage gap,” meaning they will not be eligible for Medicaid or for financial assistance to buy coverage because their state is not moving forward with the Medicaid expansion in 2014;
  
  
• How many uninsured will not benefit from the ACA’s financial assistance with coverage because they have income too high to qualify for tax credits or have employer coverage or are undocumented immigrants.

Forthcoming  fact sheets for each state will provide additional analysis of what the ACA is likely to mean for the uninsured in each state. They will be released just after the new year.

The Foundation previously released detailed analyses of those eligible for tax credits in the marketplaces and those who fall into the coverage gap, as well as briefs that examine the characteristics of people in the coverage gap and the impact of the gap by race and ethnicity in states that are not moving forward with the Medicaid expansion. For more information about the uninsured and the health reform law, visit www.kff.org.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, a leader in health policy analysis, health journalism and communication, is dedicated to filling the need for trusted, independent information on the major health issues facing our nation and its people. The Foundation is a non-profit private operating foundation, based in Menlo Park, California.

Living for the Weekend

The Gays Have Spoken
G-List Society Offers Online Original Content and More!

Imaging within the same gender loving community has had its ongoing challenges and barriers that are still being assessed and unpacked to further understand how the impact of far and few positive "images" are being offered in whether its mainstream or gay themed media. The Living Affected Corporation has been exploring this issue via its RZN2LV ( Reason to Live) campaign as a result of its contracted HIV /AIDS prevention work with the Arkansas Department of Health.

 Launched on World AID Day 2013, the campaign sought to make connections as to how social determinants as well as the barrage of negative messaging about Black gay men and firmly directed toward them often create a since of hopelessness including depression.

Through its internal research the group believes that countering this type of "message" atmosphere with refreshed positive images within the campaign could be beneficial as an intervention tool while ultimately encouraging those at risk to seek testing opportunities. Another interesting website that is also apart of this movement to create affirming content comes from the producers of The G-List TV.

Headquartered in Chicago, IL. they travel to cover events and interview captivating personalities to share with their readers and viewers. Since 2012, they have covered events in New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Milwaukee and Dominican Republic, followed by an upcoming trip to St. Maarten, Anguilla and St. Barths in May 2013. Could Little Rock be a stop in 2014?

THE G-LIST SOCIETY is a collective of people and ideas whose passions build on creating a unique platform that speaks to the conversations, challenges and celebrations among gays and lesbians in the form of opinions added to news. Their tagline “We’re not finding our space. We’re creating our space.” refers to that unique platform.

The G-List TV will feature original online video series and episodes that highlight LGBT notables and events.  At The G-List Society they have been covering a variety of LGBT-themed events and interviews. The site features a host of  LGBT personalities from around the world and debut the web series "KEN" episodes which chronicle the struggles of a Black gay man journey into embracing himself and grasp how he will move to garner acceptance from those in his circle. Even though we are offering a sneak preview here, you can get the full series on their YouTube channel.  Also check out their website at www.glistsociety.com

 

Living Hot, Live and Otherwise

RZN2LV Continues to Grow on Social Media Platforms

The RZN2LV ( Reason to Live) campaign launched on World AIDS Day 2013 has taken flight with it presence on its Facebook, YouTube and its newly created web page at www.rzn2lv.com  The campaign is the ongoing result of the agencies home grown intervention as funded by the Arkansas Department of Health.

The program was encased inside the organizations "PRISM" ( Promoting Relative Interventions for Sexual Minorities) Project which was designed to address media inundation of negative imagery including that of gay media stereotypes , stigma, homophobia and additional challenges and barriers that often intersect with risky behavior that could result in HIV/STI infections. Throughout the implementation of the intervention, the agency has been steadfast in seeking individuals for focus groups, assessing types of messaging that resonates, data gathering and testing how to deploy the messages, while consequently creating the RZN2LV video and subsequent related material associated with the project that is being showcased on this site.

 

Kicking Ahead of the Curve and More

AIDS info Releases New, Redesigned HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets

AIDSinfo has released new, redesigned fact sheets on a variety of HIV/AIDS topics. Our fact sheets are written in easy-to-read language and are meant to complement the federally approved HIV/AIDS medical practice guidelines.

The Living Affected Corporation believes that these changes are an excellent patient education resource for people with HIV, their family and friends, and anyone who wants to learn more about HIV/AIDS. The fact sheets provide an overview of HIV, including information on treatment, prevention, side effects, and issues specific to women.

Each fact sheet is based on information from the HIV/AIDS medical practice guidelines and U.S. federal government sources.
The fact sheets are organized into five topical categories. Each category has fact sheets relating to that topic listed under the category.

The fact sheet categories include the following:

• HIV Overview: includes fact sheets on the basics of HIV/AIDS, the stages of HIV infection, the HIV life cycle, FDA-approved HIV medications, and HIV testing.
• HIV Prevention: includes fact sheets on the basics of HIV prevention, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and HIV/AIDS clinical trials.
• HIV Treatment: includes fact sheets on steps to take after a recent HIV diagnosis, when to start antiretroviral therapy, selecting an HIV medication regimen, FDA-approved HIV medications, drug resistance, medication adherence, and immunizations.
• Side Effects of HIV Medicines: includes fact sheets on common side effects people with HIV may experience, including diabetes, hepatotoxicity, hyperlipidemia, lactic acidosis, lipodystrophy, osteoporosis, and rash.
• HIV and Women: includes fact sheets on issues specific to women infected with HIV, the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy, and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV during childbirth and after childbirth.

Using the Print function at the top of each fact sheet, you can either print out a single fact sheet or print all of the fact sheets in the category. Our fact sheets are a great resource for doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals; fact sheets that may be of interest to their patients can be printed out and provided to patients during medical visits. The information contained in the fact sheets may assist patients in understanding more about HIV infection and may help answer any HIV treatment-related questions they might have.

In the future, the fact sheets will be available in Spanish on infoSIDA, our Spanish-language companion website. We will also be adding new fact sheets in the future, so please check back frequently.

If you have any questions about our fact sheets, please send an e-mail to ContactUs@aidsinfo.nih.gov. Please also join the conversation on Facebook  and follow us on Twitter @AIDSinfo !

For more info on The Living Affected Corporation click to www.livingaffected.org

Remembering Mandela

The Living Affected Corporation wishes to echo the global chorus of those who were inspired and uplifted by Former South African President Nelson Mandela. His heroic persistence and God given vision of knowing that we are all brothers of the earth will resonate to the end of time.

 

His personal lost of his last living son, Makgatho Mandela, to a AIDS related illness and his clarion call to his countrymen that, "AIDS is not longer just a disease, its human rights issue," resonates to this day. It is important that we remember that although many in our own country sought to end that regime unfortunately there were still US supporters to that injustice system and fought tooth and nail to justify its existence.

Furthermore, he also proclaimed that "By all accounts, we are dealing with the greatest health crisis in human history. By all measures, we have failed in our quest to contain and treat this scourge," is a statement that is unfortunately even more important as infections rates among Black gay men, 13-24 continue to alarmingly rise in Arkansas despite this population being only 1 percent of the state's citizens.

Mandela continuously emphasized that this health dilemma must become a global priority is a testament to his determination to not be about politics but the people whom he served.

At the opening of the Second International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (July 14, 2003), he said "The more we lack the courage and the will to act, the more we condemn to death our brothers and sisters, our children and our grandchildren.

 

When the history of our times is written, will we be remembered as the generation that turned our backs in a moment of a global crisis or will it be recorded that we did the right thing?"

Meanwhile Living Affected will continue its mission to decrease infections as we collectively send prayers and condolences to his family and all of the people of his beloved South Africa.

Tranforming Communities Through Healthy Initiatives

HHS announces Affordable Care Act mental health services funding

$50 million from the health care law will expand mental health and substance use disorder services in approximately 200 Community Health Centers nationwide

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that it plans to issue a $50 million funding opportunity announcement to help Community Health Centers establish or expand behavioral health services for people living with mental illness, and drug and alcohol problems.  Community Health Centers will be able to use these new funds, made available through the Affordable Care Act, for efforts such as hiring new mental health and substance use disorder professionals, adding mental health and substance use disorder services, and employing team-based models of care.

“Most behavioral health conditions are treatable, yet too many Americans are not able to get needed treatment,” said Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N.  “These new Affordable Care Act funds will expand the capacity of our network of community health centers to respond to the mental health needs in their communities.”
“These new funds will further the Department’s work to develop integrated primary and behavioral health care services to better meet the needs of people with mental health and substance use conditions,” said Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde.

It is estimated these awards will support behavioral health expansion in approximately 200 existing health centers nationwide.  

Over the past year the Obama administration has taken a number of steps to reduce the barriers that too often prevent people from getting the help they need for behavioral health problems.  
The Affordable Care Act expands mental health and substance use disorder benefits and parity protections for approximately 60 million Americans.

The President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget includes a new $130 million initiative to help teachers recognize signs of mental illness in students and refer them to services, support innovative state-based programs to improve mental health outcomes for young people ages, and train 5,000 more mental health professionals.  For more information please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/factsheet/improving-mental-health-prevention-and-treatment-services.

The Administration has also finalized rules under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Because of these parity protections, many insurance plans will now include coverage for mental health and substance use conditions that is comparable to their medical and surgical coverage.
The Administration also launched www.mentalhealth.gov a new website featuring easy-to-understand information about basic signs of mental health problems, how to talk about mental health, and how to find help.

Keeping it Living Affected Real

LA Corp Explores Thunderclap for HIV Testing & Services

The Living Affected Corporation is widely known for its unique and "out of the box" approaches to crafting messages within its work to address health issues. Also the group has been a leader in Arkansas in using social media as a powerful way to communicate those messages, and always looking at how they could amplify those messages even more. Enter Thunderclap!

 

Last August, Howto.gov hosted a webinar on Thunderclap , a new online tool designed to create action with social media (you can view the webinar here).After reading reviews and other information the staff of Living Affected was inspired to think about how they could use that service to amplify some of their messages about HIV/AIDS.

Especially since the group has been involved in a year long study around the use of social media reaching gay men as well as the launch of its RZN2LV campaign on World AIDS Day. So it was only befitting that those findings be shared on this platform as the group prepares to pursue a "Thunderclap," toward work being developed in 2014.

Creating our Thunderclap

Thunderclap  describes itself as “the first-ever crowd-speaking platform that helps people be heard by saying something together.” After assessing the site, the agency will sign up to host a campaign in commemoration of Black HIV Awareness Day 2014. Thunderclap provides each host with a customizable landing page  that features a message (140 characters or less) with a link related to a campaign.

 

The organization will set a supporter goal size (100 people), who then grant permission for the message to be released through their own Twitter, Facebook, and/or Tumblr account(s). If our Thunderclap does not reach its supporter goal, our message is not released.

 

Once the Thunderclap campaign reaches its goal of gaining enough supporters, the message will be broadcast through supporters’ social networks simultaneously at the date and time the host picked. The idea is that the message “rises above the noise” of social networks “creating a wave of attention.”

How can you use it?

To create a successful Thunderclap, four components are recommended :

1. Strong brand assets (visuals, video, etc.)
2. A specific event and time
3. A message that resonates
4. An engaged network

In the meantime, the innovative staff will begin working toward putting together the final touches on its bold message that will be set in motion as a major "Thunderclap," coming to you social media platform in 2014. Get ready to help LA Corp be heard in unison!

Forward Movements and Observations

Six out of ten uninsured African Americans may be eligible for Medicaid, CHIP or tax credits in the Health Insurance Marketplace

95 percent of uninsured African Americans might qualify for lower costs on coverage if all states expanded Medicaid

 

According to a new report released by the Department of Health and Human Services, six out of ten
(4.2 million) uninsured African Americans who may be eligible for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace might qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or tax credits to help with the cost of premiums.

The Living Affected Corporation is serving 6 counties across Arkansas with an emphasis with delivering culturally competent information to the LGBTQ population specifically. The organization's mission of "transforming communities" in regards to marginalized sectors of the populous cites through its research that such communities often prioritize core needs such as "housing, employment food, treatment and education opportunities, before health care issues. This report supports the agencies premise that the affordable health care act could substantially assist with its overarching goal of dealing with health disparities that affect these individuals.

If all states took advantage of new opportunities to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, 95 percent of uninsured African Americans who may be eligible for the Marketplace might qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or tax credits to help with the cost of premiums. The agency applauds Arkansas' unique move to expand its Medicaid program through using federal dollars to pay for private insurance. This novel approach as reported by the states Department of Human services has already allowed more than 50,000 citizens to be covered.

“The health care law is working to address long standing disparities in health care coverage and improve the health of the African American community,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.  “Through the Health Insurance Marketplace, 6.8 million uninsured African Americans have new options for affordable health coverage that covers a range of benefits, including important preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs.“

Today’s report also details uninsurance rates by state and provides several examples of what premiums might look like for African Americans living in major metropolitan areas.  One fifth of uninsured African American citizens and permanent residents live the greater Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Detroit metropolitan areas.  A 27-year-old in Atlanta with an income of $25,000 can pay as little as $105 a month for a bronze plan after applying the tax credit, while a family of four with an income of $50,000 could pay $148 a month for a bronze plan after applying the tax credit.

Nationwide, about 2 million uninsured African Americans may be eligible for coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
States have new opportunities to expand Medicaid coverage to include Americans with family incomes at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level (generally $31,322 for a family of four in 2013). This expansion includes adults without dependent children living at home, who have not previously been eligible in most states.

An additional 2.2 million eligible uninsured African American adults with family incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level live in states that are not expanding Medicaid. The number of uninsured African Americans who may be eligible for access to health coverage at a lower cost would increase from 60 to 95 percent if all states adopted the Medicaid expansion.

To read today’s report, visit:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/UninsuredAfricanAmericans/ib_UninsuredAfricanAmericans.cfm
To learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace, including to shop and enroll in coverage online, visit HealthCare.gov.

You can also enroll by phone by calling our call center 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1 855-889-4325) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week where help is available in 150 languages, or you can find in-person help from certified assisters in your area by visiting localhelp.healthcare.gov/.

 For local assistance you can also call The Living Affected Corporation at 501-379-8203 to get an appointment to sign up for a health insurance plan through the Marketplace between now and the end of March 2014.

RZN2LV Launches from The Living Affected Corporation!

What's Ur Reason to Live Soars from Little Rock

The Living Affected Corporation launched it's RZN2LV campaign December 1, 2013, during its recognition of World AIDS Day luncheon held on the campus Philander Smith College. The event was highlighted by keynote speaker, Dr. Nathaniel Smith, MD MPH, Arkansas State Health Officer as well winners of the organization's Distinguished Service Awards.

The campaign comprised of a year long study of the impact of social media in creating intervention messaging to gay men concerning decreasing HIV/ AIDS infections in Arkansas, especially among Black gay men, 13-24. Currently its being reported that:

 " More than 34 million people are currently living with HIV around the world -- with more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States.  Another 2.5 million become newly infected each year (50,000 in America alone).  Stigma, poverty and discrimination help to feed the epidemic everywhere."

 

 

"We are excited about this launch," said Kevin Holmes, Outreach Specialist. "All this year we've been working on learning more about how our project could use all of our social media platforms to offer various messaging about "living" a positive life with HIV. Although we respect those who have succumb to this chronic disease, we are now about dealing with life affirming statements."

 

 

Using all of its social media platforms, the organization has also created a second level of the campaign that was used to capture video snippets that has reached from east to west with plans to add other global contributions as they are submitted.  Evolving plans for the campaign will continue into 2014 through prevention funding from the state's health agency.


Year End Giving Initiative 2013

2013 has been an enduring year of challenges and barriers that have been surpassed with an array of accomplishments ranging from presentations at Regional conferences to distributing over 10,000 condoms across the state. However, the work doesn't stop there and must continue to educate and advocate for equality while addressing many social justice issues including housing, education, food, transportation, and employment.

We at Living Affected have been committed in our struggle to be a community leader and trailblazer in creating unique and innovative programming and "out of the box" approaches to prevention interventions.

All of this takes funding support and we encourage you to make your year end tax deductible gift on our secured web portal at www.livingaffected.org or contact us at 501.349.7777 for more information. Can we count on you to do it today!!

Living Affected Announces Distinguished Award Winners

RZNLV Awards Presented during World AIDS Day Luncheon

 

The Living Corporation has

announced the winners of its first RZN2LV Distinguished Service Awards 2013 during its World AIDS Day event held December 1, on the historically black campus of Philander Smith College.

 

The awards were based on the chosen individuals commitment and work involved with creating a positive community image as well as impact.

 

Mr. Lee Brown, Expansion and Development Coordinator stated, " it was our desire to seek out dynamic unsung individuals who we felt deserved our inaugural award and we believe that this group represents a cross section of the LGBTQ community and beyond." (pictured: Justin Case accepting for Renegades for a Cause )

 

And now for the award winners...Congratulations are in order for those nominees of The Living Affected Corporation's RZN2LV Distinguished Service Awards:

1. Mr. Nathaniel Smith, MD MPH
2. Nu Delta Fraternity (organization)
3. Connie "The C...ondom Lady" Roebuck (advocate)
4. Miss K. Frazier (advocate)
5.Ms. Joyce Bryant (clinician- Jefferson Comprehensive Care Service)
6.Ms. Wanda Douglas (clinician- JCSSI)
7.Ms. C. Hampton (professional - Arkansas Department of Health)
8.Renegades for a Cause (fundraising group)
Rising Star Award: Mr. L.L. Woodley, educator, LRSD
Volunteer of the Year: Mr. James McLaughlin
Again, congratulations to these dedicated community warriors whom demonstrate that the power of one can make a difference and be a reason to live!! Don't forget that you can make those year end tax deductible donations at www.livivngaffected.org Do it Today!!

LA Corp on World AIDS Day: Counting to Zero

We at The Living Affected Corporation  believes that World AIDS Day reminds us of all those we’ve lost to the epidemic in the last 30+ year and is a time for us to come together with the goal

While HIV is, here in the U.S., largely a chronic manageable disease we have to acknowledge that, HIV and AIDS is decimating communities abroad. Among the hardest hit by this epidemic in our own country are men who have sex with men, including gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender women and communities of color. It is our premise that we can not forget that Black Gay Men 13-24 are still the most disproportionately affected group and more strategies must be sought to penetrate this population with information and resources. Where these communities overlap, the last 30 years can seem to have changed things very little. Living Affected rededicates itself to taking action to combat the rising rates of new infections in all communities, including our own.

It's time for us to join together to fight both HIV itself and the rampant ignorance, intolerance, and apathy surrounding this disease, meanwhile further understanding the social determinants of housing, education, food, treatment and employment in regards to dealing with marginalized communities. We are steadfast in our position that we will continue to be the "drop in" venue for those seeking "one stop" information shopping from HIV 101 to enrollment access to the Affordable Care Act.
of vigorously seeking solutions for decreasing infections and increasing linkages to care pathways while we await a world free of HIV and AIDS.

As we close out 2013, we encourage you to support our work through your year end tax deductible contributions on our web page at www.livingaffected.org or send it by mail to: The Living Affected Corporation, P.O. 46658, Little Rock, AR 72114. Your donations are an invaluable  resource in keeping us as force in addressing health disparities in the LGBTQ community and beyond.


World AIDS Day 2013—Addiction Treatment Supports AIDS Treatment

Cross-posted from National Institute on Drug Abuse - Nora's Blog

 

NIDA displays panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt

December 1 is World AIDS Day. At NIDA, we always stress the principle that drug abuse treatment is AIDS prevention, because of the close links that exist between drug abuse and the spread of HIV.  Injection drug use alone contributed to more than 7% of new infections in 2011, although the population of people who use drugs by any route who are also HIV-positive is much higher. Drug use goes hand-in-hand with various behaviors besides needle-sharing that place individuals at risk for HIV infection, such as unprotected sex.
A new study by researchers in Vancouver, British Columbia shows that, beyond the benefits of drug addiction treatment in HIV prevention, it also supports HIV treatment. Drug users face numerous unique challenges that contribute to poorer outcomes from HIV infection. The Canadian study found that, in the absence of financial and other barriers preventing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens, opioid-dependent individuals engaged in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) were less likely to discontinue ART than those not engaged in MMT and were more likely to achieve suppressed viral loads.

This study shows that investment in drug treatment improves a crucial step in the HIV Care Continuum: helping people stay in care—since HIV treatment is a lifelong process until a cure is found. By treating drug dependence, a person is benefiting not only from a lifestyle free of illicit drug use but from one that is less compromised by HIV because remaining on ART will be more likely.

The benefits of delivering addiction treatment to HIV-positive drug users could also extend to the community, by reducing the likelihood of HIV transmission to others.
We have done much to reduce the spread of HIV, but there are still approximately 50,000 new HIV infections each year, and at the end of 2010, an estimated 872,990 people in the United States were living with an HIV diagnosis. World AIDS Day is an occasion to renew our commitment to reducing the scourge of AIDS and curbing the spread of HIV. The Canadian study is a reminder that drug addiction treatment is an intrinsic part of those goals.
 

- See more at: http://blog.aids.gov/2013/12/world-aids-day-2013-addiction-treatment-supports-aids-treatment.html#sthash.djmSJryY.dpuf